Travelling through St. Louis while going across the country.

Question

We will be driving across the country passing through St. Louis. Is it faster to drive through the heart of St. Louis or take one of the loops around it, such as 270 or 255? We will be coming from 70 from Indianapolis and wanting to get to 44 on the other side to Oklahoma.

Answer

When driving across the country and passing through St. Louis from I-70 (coming from Indianapolis) to I-44 (heading toward Oklahoma), choosing the route depends largely on traffic conditions, time of day, and personal preference for avoiding urban congestion.

Options for passing through St. Louis:

Through the heart of St. Louis: This involves staying on I-70 and passing directly through downtown. It is the shortest distance in terms of miles, but during peak hours (morning and evening rush), downtown St. Louis traffic can be heavy, including congestion on bridges over the Mississippi River. The speed may be significantly reduced if you hit rush hour.
Using I-270 (outer northern/eastern loop): I-270 runs around the northern and eastern sides of St. Louis. This route avoids most downtown congestion and allows you to maintain highway speeds. It adds a few extra miles but is usually faster during peak traffic times. It also provides multiple options to reconnect with I-44 south of the city.
Using I-255 (southern/eastern loop, Illinois side): I-255 loops around the southern and eastern portion of the metro area. Similar to I-270, it helps you avoid downtown congestion. It can be slightly longer in distance but often faster than going through downtown during busy periods.

Practical tips:

Check live traffic apps (Google Maps, Waze) before approaching St. Louis. Traffic can vary greatly depending on time and incidents.
Weekday mornings (6–9 AM) and late afternoons (3–7 PM) are peak times; avoid downtown if possible during these hours.
If you are traveling mid-day or late evening/night, driving through downtown may be fine and shorter in distance.
Both I-270 and I-255 are fully limited-access highways and easy to navigate for cross-country travelers.

Summary:

For a balance of speed and stress-free driving, most drivers prefer using I-270 or I-255 to bypass downtown St. Louis, especially during peak traffic hours. If your timing is outside of rush hour, going through the heart of St. Louis on I-70 is feasible and saves a few miles.

Travelling through St. Louis while going across the country.

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